Terms of Service

Maecenat operates an invitation-only gallery at maecenat.com connecting artists with patrons who purchase original work. By creating an account or using the site, you agree to these Terms of Service and to our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use Maecenat.

You must be at least 18 years old and able to enter into a binding agreement. Maecenat has two kinds of account:

• Patrons may register to browse and purchase work.
• Artists join by invitation only. Artist applications are reviewed by our curator, who decides admission and the disciplines an artist may list in.

You agree to provide accurate information and to keep it current. You are responsible for your account credentials and for activity that occurs under your account. Notify us promptly if you believe your account has been compromised.

Artists are responsible for the work they list and the accuracy of every listing — its images, video, description, dimensions, materials, condition, and price. By submitting a listing you confirm that the work is your original creation, that you have the right to sell it, and that it does not infringe anyone else’s rights. Every listing is reviewed before it appears publicly, and the curator may decline or request changes to any submission.

When you purchase a piece, you enter into a sale directly with the artist. Maecenat provides the venue and facilitates the transaction, but is not the seller and is not a party to the contract of sale. After payment, we open a private message thread between you and the artist to arrange delivery.

Payments are processed by Stripe. A purchase is charged directly to the artist’s connected Stripe account. Maecenat charges no platform commission and no listing or membership fees. The buyer pays the listed price plus Stripe’s payment processing fee, so that the artist receives the full listed amount. Payouts to artists are made by Stripe on its standard schedule and are subject to Stripe’s terms.

Shipping, packing, insurance, and delivery of a purchased piece are arranged directly between the artist and the buyer through the message thread opened after the sale. Maecenat does not ship work and is not responsible for loss or damage in transit. We encourage both parties to agree on shipping arrangements clearly and promptly.

Because each sale is between the buyer and the artist, any refund, return, or dispute is resolved between those two parties. We ask members to communicate in good faith. Maecenat may assist informally but is not obliged to mediate or to issue refunds. Payment disputes raised through Stripe are governed by Stripe’s processes.

Artists retain all ownership and copyright in their work. By listing work on Maecenat, you grant Maecenat a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display, reproduce, and promote that work and its images and video for the purpose of operating and marketing the gallery. The Maecenat name, wordmark, and site design are the property of Maecenat and may not be used without permission.

You agree not to:

• list work that is not your own, is misrepresented, counterfeit, or unlawful;
• circumvent the gallery to avoid the protections of the platform, or use the site to defraud another member;
• harass, abuse, or threaten others, or send spam or unlawful content through messaging;
• attempt to disrupt, probe, or gain unauthorized access to the site or its systems.

Direct messaging is provided so members can discuss work and arrange sales. Use it respectfully. Maecenat may review messages where necessary to investigate abuse, ensure safety, or comply with the law.

We may suspend or close an account that violates these terms, harms other members, or misuses the site. You may close your account at any time by contacting us. Provisions that by their nature should survive — including those on content licenses, disclaimers, and liability — continue to apply after an account ends.

Maecenat is provided “as is” and “as available.” We do not warrant that the site will be uninterrupted or error-free. Maecenat is a venue connecting artists and patrons; we do not guarantee the quality, authenticity, safety, or legality of any work listed, nor the conduct of any member. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties not expressly stated here.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Maecenat will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages, or for any loss arising from a transaction between a buyer and an artist. Our total liability for any claim relating to the site will not exceed the greater of the fees Maecenat received from you in connection with the matter, or one hundred U.S. dollars.

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Maecenat from claims, damages, and expenses arising out of your use of the site, your listings or purchases, or your violation of these terms or the rights of others.

We may update these terms from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “last updated” date above, and significant changes will be communicated through the site or by email. Continued use of Maecenat after a change means you accept the updated terms.

These terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which Maecenat is established, without regard to its conflict-of-law provisions. Any dispute relating to these terms or the site will be subject to the courts of that jurisdiction.

Questions about these terms can be sent to admin@maecenat.com, or through our contact page.